Fresh claims made over Prince Harry’s allegations of ‘physical altercation’ with William

The Duke of Sussex discussed the alleged altercation in his memoir, Spare

new book has shared details on Prince Harry’s claims that he and his brother, Prince William, got into an altercation some years ago that allegedly turned physical.

In his 2023 memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex detailed the alleged altercation with his older brother at his Nottingham Cottage home in 2019.

Harry, 41, alleged that the Prince of Wales, 43, had called Meghan Markle “difficult”, “rude” and “abrasive”.

Harry wrote in Spare: “[William] set down the water, called me another name, then came at me. It all happened so fast. So very fast. He grabbed me by the collar, ripping my necklace, and he knocked me to the floor.

 
Harry claimed in his memoir that William once physically attacked him (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Prince Harry’s claims about William altercation

Harry wrote that William later left, “looking regretful, and apologised”.

William hasn’t publicly addressed the claims. However, now, a new book about William and wife Princess Catherine has delved into the Duke of Sussex’s comments.

Tensions were running very high, and yes, there certainly were cross words exchanged that on reflection were regrettable.

The Mirror’s royal editor Russell Myers’ new biography, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, addresses the alleged altercation between the brothers.

In an extract, serialised in the Mirror, a source reportedly tells Myers: “It was a cheap shot [from Harry] to present such an argument. Tensions were running very high, and yes, there certainly were cross words exchanged that on reflection were regrettable, but the prince [William] is adamant there was no physical violence.”

Royal Insider has contacted representatives for the Duke of Sussex and the Prince of Wales for comment.
Harry and William’s relationship has been strained for some time (Credit: ALPR/AdMedia)

What else did Harry say about William in Spare?

In Spare, Harry also revealed his wife Meghan’s reaction to the alleged altercation with William.

Although Harry didn’t immediately tell Meghan, she apparently later noticed “scrapes and bruises” on his back. He then told her.

The memoir seemingly caused relations between Harry and his family to become even more strained.

Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the royal family has been strained thanks to their tell-all interviews about their experience in the monarchy.

However, in an interview with The Guardian last September, Harry defended his decision to spill so much in the book.

Read more: Prince William issues Earthshot Prize announcement as next awards location revealed

He said: “I know that [speaking out] annoys some people and it goes against the narrative. The book? It was a series of corrections to stories already out there. One point of view had been put out and it needed to be corrected.

“I don’t believe that I aired my dirty laundry in public. It was a difficult message, but I did it in the best way possible. My conscience is clear.”

William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story will be published on February 26.